News Archives - Page 4 of 13 - New Materials Institute

Blending elastomer impact modifiers with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) for improved toughness

Kat Gilmore on September 8, 2025

The Locklin Group at the University of Georgia New Materials Institute utilized industrially compostable elastomer resins Terratek FX1515 and Terratek GDH-B1FA, from Green Dot Bioplastics, in blends with PHB and PHB-co-HHx. The blends demonstrated improved toughness and microbially degraded more than 90 percent under industrial composting conditions within 120 days.

New x-ray microtomography instrument will assist in biopolymer discoveries

Kat Gilmore on August 18, 2025

Researchers at the University of Georgia New Materials Institute now have access to a powerful new tool in their quest for biopolymers: the Sigray Eclipse XRM-910 Micro-CT. The x-ray instrument leads the field in zoom capabilities, software, phase retrieval, AI-enhanced routines, and spatial resolution down to 0.3 microns. It was acquired for UGA’s Georgia Electron Microscopy (GEM) core facility through a Major Research Instrument grant from the National Science Foundation.

Combining hot melt extrusion, injection molding to streamline ASD tablet production

Kat Gilmore on August 11, 2025

A research team at the University of Georgia New Materials Institute used hot-melt extrusion and injection molding to create immediate release amorphous solid dispersion tablets, a process normally done in batches. Their novel formulation strategy reduces the multi-step process to two steps, thus decreasing the time and resources needed for manufacturing.

A novel 3D printable scaffold more like native soft tissues for pelvic floor and other soft tissue disorders

Kat Gilmore on July 28, 2025

A research team, including four faculty from the UGA New Materials Institute, has created a novel, PVC-based mesh scaffolding for soft tissue disorders that can be 3D printed and has greater flexibility and biocompatibility than those currently in use.

Incorporating Georgia-grown peanut oil into paint formulations for sustainability

Kat Gilmore on July 18, 2025

These researchers from the UGA New Materials Institute painted a flammable cabinet with their research project—a paint formulation with oil from Georgia-grown peanuts. The paint, and its primer, can be formulated in any color, for interior or exterior applications. Thank you to the Georgia Peanut Commission for funding this work to identify new products that help support the growth of Georgia’s peanut industry!

UGA New Materials Institute joins the Global Ghost Gear Initiative

Kat Gilmore on July 10, 2025

The UGA New Materials Institute has become a member of the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, a non-profit organization focused on globally reducing and eliminating fishing gear that is lost, abandoned or discarded in our oceans. Our goal is to work with the GGGI leadership and members to test gear made from our marine-degradable polymers, primarily those derived from polyhydroxyalkanoates.

Recycling wind turbine blades into high-value materials for carbon fiber production

Kat Gilmore on June 30, 2025

A recent manuscript from a team at the UGA New Materials Institute utilized life cycle analysis, or LCA, to examine the sustainability of a novel coaxial layered fiber spinning process they created to recycle wind turbine blades.

XQ Wang graduates from UGA Aspire Fellows program

Kat Gilmore on June 9, 2025

UGA Professor XQ Wang, who is a faculty member in the UGA New Materials Institute, was among eight faculty members to complete the UGA Aspire Fellows program this year.

Utilizing peanut oil to create a high-value alternative oil for timber oils and coatings

Kat Gilmore on June 9, 2025

The Georgia Peanut Commission continued funding for a New Materials Institute project to use peanut oil in timber oils and coatings.

Microplastics, Macro Problems: How Tiny Plastics Impact our Health

Kat Gilmore on June 2, 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTuxrgbH8m0%20

How do plastic particles from our clothing, cars, packaging and more get into marine and other environments? What do we know about their potential impact on environmental, animal and human health?

Jay Brandes, a professor of marine sciences based at the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and a faculty member at the New Materials Institute, recently discussed micro- and nanoplastics and their impact on people, animals and our planet. Dr. Brandes spoke to a live audience during an Evening at Skidaway.

Watch this video of Dr. Brandes’s talk to learn more about microplastics.

Category: News